One provides nanocrystalline diamond material that comprises a plurality
of substantially ordered diamond crystallites that are sized no larger
than about 10 nanometers. One then disposes a non-diamond component
within the nanocrystalline diamond material. By one approach this
non-diamond component comprises an electrical conductor that is formed at
the grain boundaries that separate the diamond crystallites from one
another. The resultant nanowire is then able to exhibit a desired
increase with respect to its ability to conduct electricity while also
preserving the thermal conductivity behavior of the nanocrystalline
diamond material.